Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), who replaced Gilman as head of the full committee, is not known for his expertise on the Middle East, and likely will look to Gilman for guidance on a number of fronts.
Gilman had chaired the International Relations Committee since 1995. His strongly pro-Israel positions earned him the praise of a number of Jewish groups.
In coming weeks, Hyde is expected to give detailed outlines of priorities for his committee and the new subcommittee. Among other things, he is expected to reform rules governing sales of technology and other sensitive materials with potential military applications.
Gilman spearheaded legislation last fall that would have cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority if it unilaterally declared a Palestinian state. That bill, which passed the House, had the support of many Jewish groups.
His hard-line approach toward the Palestinians often put Gilman to the right of the Clinton administration and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.